I believe that every hard working person in this world in their own mind believes that they are striving to be the best in whatever they are attempting to do. (How others see it is different, and yes, there are a few who do not care to think or know that they do not want to do anything better than what they are doing).
In this attempt to achieve self perfection, I believe that fundamental work ethics and being true to self play a significant role. These qualities I find lacking in a number of people I see today in India, I wish that this was just my ill luck and not a general happening. Any person assigned with the daunting task of managing these kind of people to deliver anything of quality will empathise with what I say.
Let me ponder around "Why?" this is the case today.
Consider the example of this person who has a no of things to do at work, his boss has assigned some tasks to him and he is well aware of what he needs to do. Mr X (I ll name him that for now) who is well known for his excellent technical skills and sharp thinking (has an established name in the business because of the lack of any competition for all possible reasons) comes in late into office ... say by around 11am and logs on to chat / personal email / social networking sites / live cricket matches (thanks 2 cric info and rediff), talks to his neighbours about the building that collapsed yesterday on the highway for about half an hour not just wasting his time but valuable time of others, continues the discussion on a cup of tea at the local tea shop.
As of now, over 40% of his time is gone down the drain for the day and he is left with the reminder of the day to deliver what is needed, now Mr X feels stressed and pressurized, it is 6pm, the wife is probably calling him about dinner and he has a lot left to do and starts to think that this organisation is ruining my life! My work life balance is getting affected! and all possible phrases. This is not a very uncommon situation if you are not aware and not afraid to confront truth.
It takes guts to question oneslf about how properly they are planning their own time?, to question how productive they are when on their own? Would they do what they are doing if they were the ones paying salaries from their pockets?. Some may say that its the level of maturity, but I disagree, it takes common sense and nothing more than that.
The ones who get on with their work by spending a good 80% of their time in Office doing what they are meant to generally succeed, the rest of them job hop to climb up the ladder.
And these are a few thoughts that I have had on my mind when it comes to productivity, more thoughts later.
